Chinese dredging ship found without permit off coast of Bataan

The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Customs spots an unauthorized Chinese dredging ship off the coast of Bataan on Wednesday. PCG

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) spotted an unauthorized Chinese dredging ship off the coast of Bataan on Wednesday (Jan. 27).

The dredger-type vessel was found during a maritime security patrol seven nautical miles southwest off Orion Point, Bataan, the PCG said in a statement on Thursday (Jan. 28).

Philippine authorities boarded the ship and discovered that the automatic identification system (AIS) transponder of the vessel was turned off, an indication that it could be hiding its location and identity. The AIS tracks ship locations at sea.

Two Cambodian crew members aboard the ship failed to show documents for dredging or the ship’s presence in the area, the PCG said.

Upon further checking, the BOC found that the vessel was issued a departure clearance by the Customs office in Aparri, Cagayan more than a year ago, making its presence off Bataan “illegal and unauthorized.”

The BOC will issue a warrant of seizure and detention against the Chinese vessel, the PCG said.

TSB